Brisbane [Australia], December 18: India’s legendary off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, announced his retirement from international cricket shortly after the Brisbane Test concluded in a draw.
Ashwin made the emotional announcement during a post-match press conference with India’s captain, Rohit Sharma. His decision had been anticipated following a visibly emotional moment, where he was embraced by former captain Virat Kohli.
In his brief statement, Ashwin shared that Wednesday marked his final day as an international cricketer. “I don’t want to make it about myself. This is my last day as an international cricketer. I’ve had a lot of fun and made numerous memories with Rohit [Sharma] and many of my teammates, even though we’ve lost some of them to retirement over the years,” Ashwin said. “We’re the last bunch of OGs, we can say that.”
Ashwin thanked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), his teammates, and coaches who supported him throughout his journey. He specifically acknowledged the contributions of fellow players like Rohit, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Cheteshwar Pujara, whose support helped him achieve numerous milestones.
Over his illustrious career, which spanned two decades, Ashwin redefined off-spin bowling with his variations and immense cricketing intellect. He became one of India’s finest match-winners, earning the praise of his captain, Rohit Sharma, who described him as “a true match-winner India has ever seen.”
Ashwin played 106 Tests, taking 537 wickets, including 37 five-wicket hauls, and scored 3,503 runs. He is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, behind only Anil Kumble (619 wickets), and is also the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Test history. His five-wicket hauls rank second-most in the format, behind only Muttiah Muralitharan.
In addition to his Test career, Ashwin made 181 appearances across white-ball formats. In ODIs, he took 156 wickets in 116 matches, while in T20Is, he claimed 72 wickets in 65 appearances. Ashwin’s all-around contributions with both bat and ball made him a key figure in India’s rise to the top of world cricket, particularly in Test cricket, from 2014 to 2019.
As Ashwin steps down from international cricket, his legacy as one of India’s greatest spinners and a key figure in the country’s cricketing success remains unparalleled. With 765 wickets across all formats, he ranks as India’s second-highest wicket-taker after Kumble, and his achievements also include winning the 2011 50-over World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy with India.
Ashwin’s retirement leaves behind big shoes to fill for the next generation of cricketers, as he has set a high standard for excellence in the game.